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UNISON represents people employed in all areas of local government. We make sure the needs and rights of workers in this sector and related public services in our service group are recognised and defended. By working together within UNISON, local government workers can achieve more.

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Free Learning Event

UNISON and Ruskin College

Free Learning Event 

 10am until 4pm 18 March 2015

 @ Ruskin College,

Dunstan Rd, 

Old Headington, 

Oxford,

OX3 9BZ

The learning event is open to all UNISON members and non-members. It is free of charge but for catering purposes you will need to return an application form. If you are a UNISON member and would like travel costs to be covered, you will need to contact your local UNISON branch.
For more information about the above please contact Katia Widlak on 07508 080 397 or k.widlak@unison.co.uk

To celebrate and promote the benefits of adult learning, UNISON in partnership with Ruskin College is organising a taster day of courses and workshops for everyone.

The event will showcase Ruskin College’s courses ranging from informal short courses to degree level and UNISON’s learning activities and opportunities.

The event will include a market place where you will get information from various stalls about what UNISON and Ruskin College have to offer. The marketplace will be available throughout the day to answer your questions. Please come and join us!

staff slice cards

Dear Members

At yesterday’s AGM we raised the issue of staff slice cards and it is the Council’s indication that they want to increase the price of the Staff Slice Cards from £25 per year to £20 per month. UNISON considered this increase is completely unnecessary. We have asked Management for the breakdown of the savings they hope to make, to enable us to challenge the figures, but to no avail. We have expressed our view to Councillor Bob Price and Councillor Ed Turner.

The savings in the budget are of £25K for 2016/17 from the Human Resources and Facilities budget and it states that the Slice Card would then cost £20 per month!

We feel we got our strong argument across to Councillor Price and Councillor Turner and they took this on board. We also reiterated that it is against the spirit of the Council’s Wellbeing Strategy.

With that in mind, there is a Wellbeing Survey live at the moment

http://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/consult.ti/healthandwellbeing/consultationHome you can select Respond by filling in the online questionnaire

It is a very short questionnaire and closes on Friday. We urge all members and non- members to complete this survey and voice your opinion of the Staff Slice Card increase for 2016/17.

For information on Staff Leisure Card visit this intranet page: http://occweb/intranet/documents/staff-leisure-membership-application-form-201415

It could not be found in Employee Information > Pay and Reward >> Staff Leisure Card

Current Prices are:

1.    Individual Card (Swimming and Dry Sports) £25.00 per year.

2.    Individual Card (Dry Sports only) £20.00 per year.

3.    Family Card (Swimming and Dry Sports) £37.00 per year

4.    Duplicate Card £5.00

Stewards Required

Stewards Required!

Without stewards there would be no one there to act as the link between members and the union and to organise and support people in the workplace.

What rights do you get as a steward?

In workplaces where UNISON is recognized by the employer stewards have rights to time off for training and to carry out their work. This includes:

•  Meetings with members and management
• Preparation and research
• Keeping members informed

You will be entitled to training and mentoring.

All new stewards are encouraged to take advantage of the courses unison offers. There are a wide range of courses many of which are provided on a local level.

Support and advice are readily available.

Colleagues, workplace contacts and more experienced stewards, health and safety reps and branch officers will all help you. Most branches will make sure that reps have details of local union officers who can give prompt advice and guidance. Your regional organiser, regional education officer, women's officer and branch support teams are based in the regional office and can be approached for assistance through your branch secretary.

Contact chair@oxfordcityunison.com or speak to your local steward for more information

Stewards are the backbone

of UNISON.

Branch Secretary’s Report from this years AGM

Branch Secretary’s Report 

                                                                                                                      

Stewards and Officers and Members:- Here we are again, another year has passed, this job really doesn’t get any easier, but it would be even harder without the support from all of you here today, so I need to say a huge thank you to all of you.

Nothing really changes in the world of trade unions in the workplace. The past year has been yet another difficult year for all of your elected stewards and Officers, who have been dealing with a multitude of issues.

As a branch committee we have had to deal with many things from representing members who have fallen foul of disciplinary, attendance policies etc. Re-structures appear to have tailed off slightly but only to be replaced with the Admin review. We have had to make some difficult decisions, which to be fair is why you have elected us.

Policies:- Every year we are trying to improve on existing policies when they come up for review, for example we have just recently agreed a much need improved family leave policy, which takes into account the new legislation relating to maternity/Paternity leave, but what we are particularly proud of is that we now have is recognition for fertility treatment, and have achieved some paid time off for both the female receiving the treatment and also partners wishing to take time off work to support a partner undergoing fertility treatment for up to two days paid leave in any leave year.  Now we know that this isn’t overly generous, but it’s a great start, and I think this is a first in local Government, so maybe we are helping to change perceptions.

The attendance Policy that was reviewed last year was imposed upon us, and implemented without Trade Union Agreement. We were unable to negotiate a better deal for those of us who suffer with a Disability related illnesses, this particular issue was a big deal for us, and that is one of the reasons why we couldn’t agree to it.

Now we are getting into dangerous territory as an organisation. We have been given a new policy to review, the Employee Data Monitoring Policy, this will give the employer the right to use CCTV monitoring and any other electronic monitoring equipment to spy on employees and to use the data collected when carrying out  Disciplinary’ s, or attendance issues, it is imperative that we kick this into touch, personally I believe this is illegal and they shouldn’t be able to do this unless there is strong evidence to suggest that a crime is being committed. On this basis I have requested advice from our Regional representatives.

It is vital that we have your support on this one; we will take it to a ballot if necessary.  This is an invasion of your privacy; we must not allow this policy to go through! It’s a step to far” I have already had two cases in the last 12 months within the same service area, where CCTV footage and entry fob data has been the main driving force behind two long serving members of staff, with no previous records of a disciplinary nature. This is nothing short of Spying on you, together we can tell the Council what we think! But we must be one voice!!

Re-structures/Admin Review 

Re-structures was the main focus for the branch in previous years, and haven’t we had some bad ones!! Whilst they haven’t completely gone away, they are being disguised under the banner of the Admin Re-view, even after repeated warnings to the employer about how this will not work in this authority, (as we are too small and to diverse) it is clear that our opinions have not been considered, I would challenge anyone who has already been through this process to tell me if they completely understand how this works, Because it has certainly baffled me and my colleagues on your Branch Committee.

We as a branch are very concerned about the Admin Review for some good reasons, primarily, we are concerned that some individuals will be unnecessarily made redundant based on their poor review outcomes. Secondly if they are so concerned about productivity, it is our belief this is going to have a huge detrimental effect on just that, it really does not make any sense what’s so ever.  

Partnership Payment

As many of you will remember we had quite an issue with the way that the Partnership Payment was calculated, as it appeared that HR had moved the goal posts without seeking agreement, or at least finalising it! this in turn, meant that some of you were a £100 light in your salaries.  That being said we came out the other side with a much better deal going forward for all eligible recipients.

Recruitment.

Recruitment will always be one of our main focuses; to be affective; we must at all costs, keep our membership numbers up! And that isn’t just our responsibility as a branch committee, but yours as well, we are all part of this union, and I urge you strongly, to encourage your colleagues who are not members, or new starters to Join, tell them what we do, tell them don’t leave it till it’s too late,  because if they do leave it, they’re in trouble, and we cannot represent them until they have been a member for six weeks. I think we have proven to you all, how valuable it is to have a trade union presence within the workplace.  Without them your T&Cs would be appalling!

Nice Things

We recently funded the purchase of Table Tennis equipment, which has been well used and a few competitions have taken place, it has to be one of the best things we have invested in for a while. If you fancy a game get in-touch with David Brown in Regeneration-Major Projects team.

The Membership Christmas Parties were a great success again especially the Raffles, this year we will be doing something similar, unless any of you has any better ideas please let us know, if it’s affordable, we’ll do it.

Once again thank you all for your continued support.

Caroline Glendinning

Branch Secretary

17/02/2015

Annual General Meeting

Oxford City Branch

Annual General Meeting

3:00 – 4:00 pm Tuesday 17th February 2015

The Long Room, Town Hall

Agenda

1	Apologies
2	Minutes of the AGM 2014
3	Annual Branch Report (Secretary, Caroline Glendinning)
4	Ratification of Elections of Stewards (Chair, David Hawkins)
5	Ratification of Elections of Branch Officers (David Hawkins)
6	Nominations for delegates to Annual Conference 2015
7	Affilliations (Caroline Glendinning)
8	Leader of the Council Bob Price and Deputy Leader Ed Turner
9	Treasurer's Report and Presentation of Branch Accounts (Gwen)
1	Honoraria 2013–14
1	Motions
1
1	Any Other Business  The Chair or Secretary must be informed of the matter before the meeting is opened
Followed at 4: 15 pm by Cheese and Wine in The Long Room, The Town Hall.

Pledge support for public services

Pledge support for public services and keep up to date with UNISON's general election work.

Click here to pledge your support 

NHS Strike SUSPENDED

The successful strike action last year, coupled with the determination of NHS workers to continue industrial action in 2015 has resulted in a last minute improved pay offer from the NHS employers.

This now means that the planned strike action for 29^th January and 25^th February has been suspended, and NHS members will now be balloted on whether they wish to accept the offer.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to fighting for fair pay.

http://www.unisonsoutheast.org.uk/planned_nhs_strike_suspended

NHS Strike Thursday 29th January

UNISON members working in the NHS in England are set to walkout for 12 hours between 9am and 9pm on Thursday 29 January. Ambulance and paramedic staff will walk out from Noon- Midnight.

Whether you are an activist in Health, Local Government, Police or any other service group, your support on Thursday is incredibly important.

If you’d like to show your support in person, you can find your local picket line via our interactive map.

We have also made available a list of ready-made tweets in support of the NHS for those on Twitter. Alternatively you can email your MP, write to your local paper and sign our petition. There is a full organiser toolkit also available to download that includes a media brief and information about the strike.

We hope you will show your support for our NHS workers on Thursday.

Yours in solidarity,

Do you have a question

Annual General Meeting

17th February 2015 from 3:00 pm  

in the Long Room Oxford Town Hall

At this year's AGM Cllr Bob Price and Cllr Ed Turner will be attending.

Do you have a question you would like to ask Bob Price (Leader of the Council)? Or, Ed Turner (Deputy Leader of the Council)

If you do, please submit your questions by 2^nd February 2015. You can send it via post to the Branch Chair c/o UNISON Office in the Town Hall or email chair@oxfordcityunison.com

If you are unable to make the AGM for any reason but would still like a question asked you can submit this as above or if you have someone that can read out the question for youplease state this. If not, we can read this out for you.

Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would like more information, please e-mail chair@oxfordcityunison.com

Annual General Meeting 2015

 Annual General Meeting

17^th February 2015

3:00 pm till 4:00 pm

Long Room

Oxford Town Hall

Followed by Cheese & Wine

At the AGM, branch members do the following:

• Ratify the election of Branch Officers
• Ratify the election of stewards
• Elect delegates to UNISON’s National and Local Government conferences
• Vote on motions
• Ask questions about the Annual Report and branch accounts.

Please let your line manager know as soon as possible if you wish to attend the AGM.  You are entitled to paid time off to attend the AGM (up to one hour) and reasonable time off for travel to and from the meeting.

If you would like to stand as a steward for your area, or would like more information, please e-mail chair@oxfordcityunison.com

Your voice will make a difference

NHS England industrial action

NHS Strikes planned for 29 January and 25 February, with a month of action short of a strike taking place between

 

Members working in the NHS in England will walk out for 12 hours on 29 January followed by action short of strike, then a further strike on 25 February. The January strike will be for 12 hours and the February one is planned for 24 hours.

They will then work to rule between Friday 30 and Tuesday 24 February, which means they will be working their contracted hours, will take their breaks and not do unpaid overtime.

It is thel third round of action over the government's decision to reject the 1% pay rise for NHS staff as recommended by the independent Pay Review Body in 2014 and over most being denied a pay increase in 2015/16.

Read more

MATCH REPORT; TABLE TENNIS CHALLENGE MATCH; LEGAL BEAGLES V TEAM RAMPRO-9/12/2014 @ 17.00-VENUE; HERTIAGE LEARNING CENTRE,TOWN HALL.

The inaugural Oxford City Council Team Challenge match between Legal Beagles aka Law and Governance and Team RAMPRO aka Regeneration and Major Projects and Property Services took place in the Heritage Learning Centre in the Town Hall. After a brief warm up and with all participants excluding the Team Leaders Challenge being randomly drawn out of a hat..ish, the match began with Anne Bland v Stewart Thorp. After three close sets Stewart T put Team RAMPRO one nil up. This game was followed by Daniel Smith v Steve Smith (Engineer),which followed a very similar pattern to the first game, giving Team RAMPRO a two games to nil lead

The next game was between Cathy Durance v Julia Kidd, which was edged by Cathy D by three sets to one

Next up was the much anticipated Team Leaders game between Jeremy Thomas of Legal and the late, late replacement for Jane Winfield ..and  Nick Twigg, of RAMPRO ,Chris Wood. After a high energy, exciting game, cheered on by all present, Jeremy T prevailed in straight sets to make the match score two games a-piece

The following game was Steve Smith (Legal) v Richard Davison. A tight ,nervy but skilful game ensued, with Richard finally gaining the victory for Team RAMPRO in straight sets. There were only a handful of points difference over the three sets, The sets, genuinely, could have all gone to Steve ! Finally, the match ended with David Browne v David Wignall. DB’s steadier all-round game saw off DW’s determined ,youthful enthusiasm in straight sets giving Team RAMPRO a hard fought 4 games to 2 games win.

In summary , an enjoyable evening with much skill and endeavour ,played in a very genuine ,competitive but respectable and supportive atmosphere which has done much to enhance already good inter-departmental relationships.

Many thanks to UNISON (especially David Hawkins) for providing the table and equipment, Kate Toomey for allowing the use of  the Heritage Learning Centre facilities, Steve Smith (Legal) Julia Kidd & Marion Maguire for all their help and assistance in getting the match on !. Finally, thanks to  all the players, and supporters whose participation etc made it all worthwhile !

Now for the re-match !!!!

Btw…as Jane Winfield might say, Team RAMPRO are clearly Kings of Oxford City Council Table Tennis, ( and very modest too..) who consider all challengers…lol !!!!!!

Stressed out, overworked and underpaid

National health and safety committee members supporting the pay campaigns and demanding better health and safety

UNISON members have been expected to do more with fewer staff for less pay - the union's national health and safety committee noted today, as it met on the first day of this year's European Health and Safety Week.
Committee members representing UNISON service groups, regions, and the NEC reflected on union’s Cut stress, not jobs campaign - and the union rallies for fair pay over the weekend. "The truth is that our members have been at breaking point for a long time," said committee chair Malcolm Harrington. "Over the past four years they have consistently been expected to do more, with fewer staff employed, and for less pay. In short, our members are stressed out, overworked, and underpaid."
Vice chair Pam Sian added: "It is important to remind employers and others that there is a big difference between stress and pressure. "A little pressure can be motivational and help us to prioritise important work, but when the pressure becomes too much to cope with and makes us feel ill, that’s stress and it is always harmful."

The European Health and Safety Week is held each year. The official slogan for 2014 is: Healthy workplaces manage stress.

UNSION has published a revised guide on stress at work to support safety reps in raising the issue of workplace stress with their employers.

Stress at Work, a guide for UNISON safety reps [PDF]

Attendance Management Policy Changes message from UNISON

You will all be soon made aware by Management that there are changes to the Attendance Management Policy where they have reduced the Bradford Factor. Unfortunately, we did not gain agreement about this and it was forced through Full Council without UNISON agreement. 

We will make a further statement soon. 

Below is the Message sent out to all Managers from HR

The new Attendance Management Policy was agreed at Council in April and all employees have been informed that there is a revised policy, which is available on the intranet.

I wanted to remind you of the key changes and clarify the arrangements for transition from the old triggers to the new ones.

New Absence Triggers

·         Now set at 100 & 250 (previously 150 and 400) AND more significantly,

·         A new trigger to tie in with the corporate sickness targets i.e. more than 7 days off sick in any year for 14/15 and more than 6 days off sick in any year from 15/16. So these new triggers mean there will be more attendance reviews

Managing the transition from old triggers to new triggers

·         The +7 day trigger will start from 1^st April 14 and look forward, not back until we have 12 months data to look back on. Of course anyone having +7 days from April will trigger instantly. 

·         AND – we’ll start the 100/250 after 6 months – this will prevent any confusion running two schemes. So from 1^st October 2014 we’ll only run reports on the 100/250 and have meetings accordingly – whether people have already triggered on the old system – or not.

Important Action

·         Ensure that you are familiar with the new policy and if you are unsure about anything please raise with your HR Business Partner

·         Discuss the changes with your team and ensure that they are aware of the new policy and understand the transition arrangements – with advanced warning of the transition to the new 100/250 triggers they may have an opportunity to bring their score below the new triggers in advance of October.  You will also be able to have 121 conversations over the next few months with individuals who attendance levels would hit the new trigger scores of 100/250, but currently sit below the 150/400 so they are prepared for the changes (these will be shown in a report to the Head of Service each month)

TUC survey on job insecurity

As many people now have jobs that offer little security, the TUC in association with the Scottish TUC wants to hear of worker’s experiences.
They want to hear the experiences of agency workers, workers on zero-hours contracts or people on short-term contracts.
A short survey is running until 24 June on these issues and people can fill it in by following the link below.
Take the TUCSurvey

Fob System and CCTV system in the Council Buildings are being used to monitor employees whereabouts

UNISON would like to highlight this to all members 

Please read.

It has come to our attention that the Fob System and CCTV system in the Council Buildings are being used to monitor employees whereabouts when there is a potential disciplinary.

UNISON would like to highlight this to all members. We are very disappointed with the Council for taking this adversarial approach especially when UNISON had been reassured it would not happen.

Please be aware all your entries into rooms, corridors, entrances and exits is stored and can be used to track your movements – it only takes one allegation.

We are sorry to inform you of this; but we consider that we are serving our Members in the best way by making sure you are aware of this when we have been made aware.

We understand the level of mistrust this may make you feel about the employer and our door is open to Management to ensure we resolve this in the most amicable way.

Support UNISON welfare today

Fair Pay Fortnight

Protest on pay this week UNISON will be holding two days of pay protest this week as part of Fair Pay Fortnight. Tuesday 1 April will see local government workers throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland stage their latest day of protest on the day their pay settlement was due. We are consulting our relevant local government workers, including those in schools, with a recommendation to reject the employers' 1% offer, and preparing for potential industrial action. Thursday 3 April will see health workers staging protests over the government's refusal to give them even a 1% pay award recommended by the independent pay review body.

£20 Voucher Gift When You Recruit a Member

If you are a UNISON member and you recruit a UNISON member for the Oxford City Branch you will received £20 in vouchers.

All you have to do is give someone who is not a member an application form; write your name at the top of it. And when they submit that form with your name on it and become a paying member you will be contacted to receive the vouchers.

The vouchers will be from any high street brand of your choice.

You can pick up Application Forms from kitchens or contact our Recruitment Officer Pól Ó Ceallaigh via email or telephone 01865 252013.

 

Lump Sum offer to buy out of enhancement rights

Following a ballot; UNISON and UNITE opted into a five year pay deal with Oxford City Council employers for their members.

 

One of the aspects of this pay deal involved the possibility of selling your rights of enhancements you receive such as overtime and weekend working.

What this means, if you accept a lump sum payment you will forfeit your right to enhanced payments and any subsequent weekend work or overtime will result in only basic pay, not at the enhanced rate.

This is your individual decision to make.

UNISON members AGREED with the decision to give members this opportunity: whether you decide to or not is a decision that can only be made by you.

You will receive a letter from Human Resources that outlines how much lump sum they are willing to offer you if you wish to take up the opportunity.

Advantages of choosing lump sum:

Ø  Cash lump sum, based on the average amounts of what you have been paid in the past.

Ø  Future payments of enhancements and overtime will be pensionable meaning you will be paying more into your Pension.

 

Disadvantages of choosing lump sum:

Ø  You lose future benefit of enhanced payments

Ø  If you are in the Pension Scheme and you do not continue to be paid enhanced payments that become pensionable; then, you will not benefit from these additional contributions when you retire.

Ø  Lump sum is subject to tax and national insurance just like the enhanced payments.

 

The offer is available to you until 7^th March 2014 – if you choose to accept the Lump Sum you will need to return the slip at the bottom of the letter that Human Resources will send you.

 

If you have any questions, please speak to your UNISON representative or contact the Branch Office on 01865 252522

PENSIONS URGENT UPDATE

URGENT UPDATE

 

 

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) 2014 England and Wales

 

The Regulations changing the LGPS in England and Wales will come into force with effect from 1 April 2014.

 

A final reminder that anyone who has currently opted out of the LGPS (England and Wales) but wants to ensure the earnings link protection on any final salary benefits they have earned up to April 2014 (there may be some protection for those who opt back in within 5 years of opting out) MUST rejoin immediately. If the cost of the contributions is a problem then they should be reminded that from April there will be an option to pay half their normal contribution rate for half the pension. They should approach their employer’s pension department and ensure that the forms to rejoin have been returned and received by the pensions department before the end of this month.  If they are not actively contributing to the scheme then any benefits they earned before they opted out, that fall outside the proposed five year window protection to opt back in, will go up in line with prices (currently Consumer Price Index) not earnings.

 

Anyone in the LGPS (England and Wales) thinking of paying Additional Voluntary Contributions to maximise tax free lump sum payment when they retire (so they don’t have to exchange so much of their pension for cash at the relatively poor exchange rate of £12 cash £1 pension) should elect to pay the contributions BEFORE April 2014. Members should also ensure that the election form is in the hands of their employer or their Pension Fund Administering Authority before 1 April 2014.

 

If members elect to pay after April (or if their forms are received late) then when they retire they are likely only to be able to take part of their AVC fund as a cash sum (currently 25% of the value). They will have to buy extra pension from the LGPS, or at whatever the annuity rates will be in the future, from a pension provider such as an insurance company. Members, especially those near retirement, should consider paying AVC’s if they can afford it and approach their employer pensions department for details of the AVC arrangement operated by their employer/LGPS fund. They can as an alternative buy extra pension in the LGPS.

 

LGPS transitional regulations update

 

These Regulations have been delayed due to the Government debating whether Councillors should continue to be allowed to join the LGPS.  However, as far as we are aware, the protections that were agreed as part of the negotiations on the new LGPS scheme are all included. UNISON has been involved in drafting the regulations.

 

As drafted the regulations would mean the 'rule of 85' protection will go over into the LGPS 2014 unchanged. So any part of a person's service currently covered by the rule of 85 would not be reduced for early payment if s/he decides to retire at 60, unless they have not completed enough service by that time to satisfy the rule, or the member has tapered protection.

 

Those who voluntarily decide to retire between the age of 55 and 60 with full or part protection for the rule of 85, would have an early retirement reduction unless the employer agreed to pay to remove it. There is still fine tuning to be done about the level of the reduction in such cases. We think that UNISON has been successful in arguing that the reduction will only count back from age 60, not 65, (or from the date the member attains the 85 year rule if after age 60), but this will be confirmed when the regulations are laid.

 

We also expect that the current definition of final pay and protections on pay will remain the same for all service up to April 2014. Underpinning protection for those who were within 10 years of their normal retirement age at April 2012 is also in the current draft.

 

UNISON is pushing for the transitional regulations to be laid as soon as possible, to remove uncertainty. We are concerned that, because of the delay in bringing the transitional regulations into law, some members are considering leaving the scheme or even resigning their jobs - under the false impression that the protections will not be implemented and the equally false impression that leaving the scheme would somehow protect their past service rights in the LGPS.

 

All those who want to ensure the final earnings protection on their LGPS service to April 2014, should make sure they are contributing to the LGPS when the regulations change in April.

 

 

Local Government Pension Scheme (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2014

 

These regulations were finally were laid before Parliament on Friday, 17 January; to come into force on 10 February. They make a number of technical amendments including clarifying the employer duties for automatic enrolment and re-enrolment of staff into the LGPS. The Explanatory Memorandum carries further detail and this is available to download along with the Statutory Instrument (SI 2014/44) from the OPSI website - www.opsi.gov.uk .

  

LGPS Shadow Scheme Advisory Board

 

The LGPS Shadow Scheme Advisory Board has issued a report on the call for evidence on fund mergers and methods to increase efficiency this can be found at: http://www.lgpsboard.org. UNISON was the only union to submit a response and this helped influence the shape of the report and recommendations. We expect the government to produce and options paper on fund mergers and other options in the coming months.

 

The board is seeking a legal opinion on a range of issues such as who is responsible for paying benefits should a fund go bust and in whose interests are funds invested? We expect the opinion to inform the forthcoming governance regulations, which will set procedures for running the scheme at national and fund level in the future.

 

Petition to oppose cuts to Support Fund to local Advice Centres

You may already be aware that the County Council is proposing to cut its Support Fund with effect from April 2014 and to end advice centre funding from April 2015.  The Support Fund provides emergency help to those in dire need, using money which was delegated by the Department of Works and Pensions last year.  Advice Centres in Oxfordshire provide in-depth advice, support and advocacy for those living in the most deprived areas of the county, in order to maximise their income, claim any benefits and credits to which they are entitled and reduce their debts.

Anneliese Dodds, who chairs Rose Hill & Donnington Advice Centre has set up an on-line petition to oppose these cuts: we would be very grateful if you would sign it and forward it to others who you think might sign it too.  The link is as follows:

 

oxfordshire-county-council-maintain-the-support-fund-for-the-poorest-people-in-oxfordshire